He Has a Broken Neck

It's not the usual comment to start a conversation off
on a Monday morning.

Karen phoned me from the office to say Brent Will, a
long-term member of NZDIS, had called to say he would be
submitting a claim and could I call him. That seemed a
little odd - I'd been speaking to Brent prior to the
weekend and there was no hint that he was about to be
incapacitated and unable to work. My immediate thought
was he must have had some kind of accident but at least
he was making the phone call himself so it couldn't be
too serious.

So, the first question I asked Karen was "What was he
claiming for and how long does he think he might be off
work?"

Karen replied "He has a broken neck - he did it skiing
in Japan."

Now at this stage I'm really confused and concerned.
Brent had been skiing two weeks prior in Japan but I've
spoken to him since and he was at work last Wednesday.
He didn't go back to Japan in the weekend did he? I
needed to speak to Brent. On calling he wasn't his usual
positive self and sounded a little weary and worse for
wear.

It turns out Brent did break his neck in Japan - he was
bowled over by an out of control skier in Japan. He was
a little dazed by the event but returned to ski the next
day and travelled home from Japan on a 12 hour flight
including hauling his luggage on and off carousels. He
returned to work but the discomfort and headaches
prevailed.

A doctor's appointment on Thursday 23 February led to an
immediate hospital admission and complete immobilisation
of the neck.

It
turns out Brent had actually fractured the vertebrae C7.
Fortunately there was no damage to the spinal cord.
Somehow all of the activities of daily living since the
accident had not resulted in causing more damage that
could have led to paralysis or in the extreme death.
Brent underwent surgery on Thursday 2 March to have a
series of pins and plates inserted to stabilise and
support his neck. Surgery was successful and his x-ray
profile now looks like this.

While Brent was convalescing it was important that NZDIS
set about looking after his finances.

Conversations the week before had centred on a number of
changes happening in practice. Just 6 months earlier
Brent, in his mid-fifties, was a partner in a
well-established North Shore practice of three dentists
who had all worked together for over 15 years. The
picture was one of "steady as she goes" heading for
retirement in the next 10 years.

Six months ago that all changed. The lease on the
practice premises was not being renewed and one of the
partners was selling his practice.

So, with the need to find new premises, fit out and
relocate as well as establishing a working relationship
with a new business partner it was a significantly
different picture. There was also now a substantial
business loan over the practice.

Brent has Disability / Income Protection cover with
NZDIS and this is structured to accommodate both his
business overheads and personal income.

The process at time of claim is not necessarily
difficult but does involve co-ordinating a number of
parties. Medical information needs to be collected which
confirms the incident, treatment and prognosis for
recovery. This includes the time frame that his medical
attendees confirm he is unable to work. Follow up
medical assessments are required to confirm any further
absence or programme for returning to work - often on a
phased or gradual basis.

Brent's claim was as a result of an accident and
therefore he is also entitled to ACC payments. So
co-ordination with ACC both of the claim acceptance and
payments is part of the process.

Fortunately for Brent his immediate past business
partner was able to come in as a locum to ensure the
least disruption to patients. While there is revenue in
to the practice there are now the additional costs of
the locum. Identifying the actual loss experienced
requires the financial records of the practice during
this time. Even after ACC payments and locum support his
loss of earnings was still significant.

Since surgery Brent has made a good recovery and has
returned to work part time. Until he is able to resume
full time duties he will be on a partial claim and again
the financial records of the practice are required to
determine the ongoing weekly loss. While the medical
reports confirm Brent will make a complete recovery the
fact that he mentioned to me he intends returning to the
ski fields is probably the best indication of his
progress.

Brent has been very grateful to have his Disability
Income Replacement insurance in place. It is difficult
enough dealing with the pain and trauma of an accident.
Insurance has made his life easier managing his return
to work without having an added financial stress of
having to make up a significant earnings shortfall.

I'm pleased I work for an organisation that can make a
significant difference to its customers and understands
their business like no other.